After Marking the Villain Professor (ABO, GL) - Chapter 26

Chapter 26

“Boss Xu really surprised me. I thought she’d go easy on that small zombie like some of the students,” Qi Rui said, watching the students cheer around Xu Man below.

He’d nearly thought their practice would end in failure and had been ready to step in.

“Our Manman is, of course, the best,” Zhou Yutao said.

Qi Rui glanced at her, catching only her back.

Without thinking much, he looked back at the courtyard. When he saw Xu Si and Xu San, holding a sniper rifle, emerge from the shadows, he froze.

Xu Si had been sticking close to Professor Zhou lately, and hiding here was likely her doing.

So, even if Boss Xu couldn’t handle the small zombie lunging at her, Xu Si and Xu San would’ve saved her in time.

He’d thought Professor Zhou didn’t care, but she’d already made arrangements.

Of course—she’d just found an immune person and was busy, yet still made time to check on Boss Xu. How could she not care?

Perhaps she cared too much, which was why she pushed Boss Xu to grow quickly. Professor Zhou’s side was dangerous, and not just because of zombies.

They’d figured out the gunshots from last time were from enemies, not friends, likely after Professor Zhou and her antidote.

Qi Rui gave Xu Man, who was collecting zombie limbs, a deep look before turning to go inside.

He hoped she wouldn’t drag Professor Zhou down. If it came to it, for the greater good, he’d deal with her first.

For now, he’d let it be.

As Xu Man picked up the zombie limbs, a chill ran down her spine. She glanced around but saw nothing unusual; the students all seemed thrilled.

“Boss Xu, how’d you improve so much? What’s the trick? How do you pick up zombie limbs? They’re so gross,” a timid student asked curiously.

Xu Man nodded. “This hand, you take it back and chop it in two. This head, you grind it into mush…”

“Wait, wait, Boss Xu, stop! Just hearing you describe it makes me want to puke,” a student said, unable to handle it.

It sounded worse than killing zombies, no wonder Boss Xu could behead the small one in one swing.

Xu Man said earnestly, “Vomiting at first is normal. It gets better, but you can’t fully overcome the fear. When I chopped off that small zombie’s head, I was still scared.”

It got easier after pushing through.

Even now, she couldn’t believe she’d killed a zombie that looked so human. She’d only ever swatted mosquitoes before.

“Coming up with such a twisted training method—no wonder you improved so fast. Impressive,” the students said, pale-faced, their gazes tinged with awe.

Xu Man handed a zombie head to the most timid student, pausing. “Professor Zhou told me to do it.”

As the novel’s villain, it wasn’t surprising she’d devise such a method.

After this practice, Xu Man was grateful to Zhou Yutao.

She’d realized that in the apocalypse, without self-defense skills, if Xu Yi and the others weren’t around, she’d lose not just her supplies but her life.

Still, the method was too intense, terrifying.

“Professor… Zhou?” The students’ looks turned sympathetic.

They hadn’t understood why Professor Zhou kept calling Xu Man away. Now they knew it was for this.

“We don’t want these limbs, Boss Xu. Keep them. Next time, we’ll collect our own,” they said, fearing she’d make them chop the remains.

They scattered faster than ever, leaving Xu Man alone with the limbs.

Sun Xiahe, recovering from her fear, saw everyone leave except Xu Man. Her scheming stirred again. “Boss Xu…”

Xu Man turned, holding out the limbs. “Want these?”

Sun Xiahe screamed and shrank back.

Ignoring her, Xu Man carried the limbs back to the villa.

She wanted to go to the study to see if Zhou Yutao was really with Liu Ming.

After facing life and death, she found the courage to see her.

She’d pretend to ask if Zhou Yutao needed more zombie limbs. Even if she had to chop them, it’d be fine.

Bracing herself, Xu Man reached the study.

The door was half-open, no sign of anyone inside.

Taking a deep breath, she raised her hand to knock, but the door swung open from inside.

Xu Si’s face appeared. “Boss, what’re you looking for?”

Startled, Xu Man said, “Why are you here?”

Lately, Xu Si kept spooking her, popping up in unexpected places when she was least prepared, especially now when her heart was uneasy.

Xu Si: “I saw you didn’t like Liu Ming kissing Professor Zhou. I was gonna teach her a lesson and tie Professor Zhou to your bed, but they’re both gone.”

His tone dripped with regret.

Xu Man blurted, “No way, don’t touch Yutao, or I’ll deal with you myself.”

Focused on stopping Xu Si’s reckless plan, she forgot to refute his earlier comment, though he wasn’t wrong—she didn’t like Liu Ming kissing Zhou Yutao.

She raised her knife, clearly serious.

The past was the past; she couldn’t let Xu Si act out anymore.

Though his suggestion had briefly tempted her.

Even if she liked Zhou Yutao, she wouldn’t use such despicable means.

Besides, she wasn’t sure if it was even liking, and she didn’t dare like her.

“Alright, I won’t touch her. Don’t worry, Boss,” Xu Si said, reining in his expression but inwardly thrilled.

Yes! The boss wasn’t soft when threatening people anymore. No one would bully her now. Madam Boss’s methods worked.

“Professor Zhou told me to tell you to go to her room after today’s training,” Xu Si said, changing his tone. “Oh, and she doesn’t like dirty people, so you’d better shower first.”

Xu Man froze, remembering Zhou Yutao’s order to see her tonight.

Was it just about whether they’d go to South City, or to settle her debt?

Probably both.

Her newfound courage dwindled, her face flushing wildly.

But then, a thought struck her: if Zhou Yutao was with her, she wouldn’t have time for Liu Ming.